Child Swap

[wdw71]

I tried doing a search on this topic but for some reason it isn't working. So I apologize if this is a repeat post. We have 2 kids (18mo/4yr @ time of trip) if our 18mo old is too scared to ride something can my 4yr old ride twice, once with mom while dad is with 18mo old and once with dad while mom is with 18mo old?

 

[beattyfamily]

Yes.

Here's an explanation:

The rider switch pass is only available on rides with Fastpass.
The only rides with child swap (rider switch pass) are those with height restrictions.
So a ride like Pooh, HM, or Buzz that does have Fastpass, doesn't offer the rider switch pass because they don't have a height requirement. As far as I know there is no child swap offered at rides without a height requirement.

They do not let children that do not meet the height requirement through the line (except on Star Tours; the entire party enters the line and they do the switch at the ride itself).

My first advice is to tell the CM at the entrance to the attraction before you enter the ride line (either via Fastpass line or Standby line) that you want to use the swap feature and find out how they handle it; each ride or cm could handle it differently.

The parents and the child must approach the CM together. They must see the child who doesn't meet the height requirement. The CM may measure the child if they are close to the height requirement (of course your 18 month old won't meet it!). The CM will then give you a rider switch pass (if the child doesn't meet the height requirement) and the parent that is riding second can then leave with the child and to do something else while the first party rides. They could wait outside or wait at the exit of the ride (which is usually in a store) or do a different attraction. The second parent then returns, at their convenience, to ride via the FP line with the rider switch pass and can ride with up to 2 other guests; the rider switch pass is good for up to 3 guests total and good all day.

Meanwhile, the first parent (and older child) can ride however you decide; Fastpass, standby or single rider, if available.

The purpose of child swap isn't a "head of the line pass" or to eliminate a double wait for a family that can't ride together but to shorten the wait for the second parent as much as the Fastpass line can and to make it more convenient by letting you come back later if you need/want to with up to 2 other guests to ride with you so you don't have to ride alone.

For those with older children, if your child is tall enough to ride but doesn't want to, then you can still create your own form of swapping by getting a Fastpass for each parent and then taking turns. Works just about the same as getting the rider switch pass. This is what we do since our 7 year old is afraid of a few rides but is tall enough for them, thus doesn't qualify for the rider switch pass.

Please note, you do not need a Fastpass for the parent riding with the rider switch pass; the rider switch pass is all they need to enter the Fastpass line. It takes the place of the regular Fastpass.

Hope this helps.

 

[all4fun]

Here's some info for you as well:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/childswap.htm

 

[design_mom]

I'm not an expert, but I think this is allowed on anything the 18m old *can't* ride (baby swap)... but I'm not sure how it would work on something that the 18m old would be eligible to ride, but chooses not to. (For instance, Dumbo or It's a Small World.)

 

[K and K's Mommy]

Yes, my oldest loves this feature!!

What I don't know is if they do Child Swap on rides where there is no height restrictions - like Haunted Mansion or Snow White.

 

[wdw71]

Thanks for all of the responses. This site lists all the rides that have child swap. Child swap does not seem to rely on height restrictions or fastpass. It also includes rides that may be too scary for little ones like Haunted Mansion, Pirates or Snow White. (See all4fun's post for link)
I am glad to know that my 4 yr old will benefit from this perk and get to ride twice, once with each of us with out waiting in a long line

 

[pigletof4]

We did this in Feb/Mar when we were there. We would get a fastpass and my dh and dkids would ride with dad and then we would switch the rider pass as we also have an infant. The kids loved riding the rides several times in a row.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks for all of the responses. This site lists all the rides that have child swap. Child swap does not seem to rely on height restrictions or fastpass. It also includes rides that may be too scary for little ones like Haunted Mansion, Pirates or Snow White. (See all4fun's post for link)
I am glad to know that my 4 yr old will benefit from this perk and get to ride twice, once with each of us with out waiting in a long line

Actually it does - unfortunately I think that link may have outdated information.

We have used child swap often in the past few years and as recently as Feb 07 and April 07. The only time you can use child swap and get the rider swap pass is on a height restricted ride and if you have a child who dosen't meet the height restriction.

My explanation and experience is the same as beatyfamily's well written explanation above

FWIW - I am not posting for the sake of agrument but to avoid dissapointment as the CM's at attractions like POTC won't even have a rider swap pass.

TJ